So my
beloved South African cricket team has blundered it's way through to
the semifinal stage of the 2007
World Cup . A Wold Cup which, in retrospect, has been marred
by terrible tragedies (the alleged murder of Bob Woolmer), crazy upsets
and shocking support from the Caribbean locals (although this has to be
blamed on West Indian Cricket authorities).
It's also had some pretty special moments.
The performances
of both the Bangladeshi and amateur Irish sides has surprised many a
purist, and pundit. The return to form of Matthew Hayden (who looks
simply sublime any time he gets to the middle), the bowling of Malinga
and Vaas in tandem. The consistency of our very own Jacques Kallis,
who I would not have put my money on to be our go-to man, but it seems
he copes best on slow, low pitches (not to mention under extreme
pressure).
Back to the semi's. South Africa does not deserve to win this
World Cup. We have not been the best team throughout the tournament,
with both New Zealand and Australia showing outstanding winning form
(until of course New Zealand played Australia and got hammered by the biggest losing margin in their ODI history - ouch),
and Sri Lanka on a par, I believe, with our form. Australia are
without doubt the best all-round side in the world at the moment and
should go through to win it.
Should.
But you see, we've never really been the best
team in the world and yet, there's something about our boys (not all of
them, granted), that is severely intent on snatching this Cup this
time, no matter what the odds against them are. We've just had too
much bad luck, too much controversy, too much frustration to not stand
a frikkin' good chance at stealing a win.
Still, it all comes down to one moment - one catch, one run,
one great ball, one decision. I'm a fairly practical guy, but deep
down in my heart I really do believe that sometimes when a butterfly flaps it's tiny wings on this side of the globe, a tornado starts on the other.
Let's
do our boys justice. Let's stop complaining about every little quirk
we don't like. Let's stop whining. Let's realise just how far we've
come, and just how much we've overcome. Let's celebrate the diversity
and talent our country produces. Let's enjoy the game. Let's be real
fans for a change and not fickle Saffa's.
I have a hunch if we believe enough, a butterfly may just
decide to flap it's wings as AB De Villiers takes a swing at a Glenn
McGrath long hop...